Elections Database
Port of Tacoma position 4« Go back
Don Meyer
Residence: Spanaway
Contact: 253-459-4758
E-mail: donmeyer4port@aol.com
Website: donmyer4port.com

Experience: Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, board member, 1999-present Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma, board member, 1999-present LeMay Museum, board member 2002-present Tacoma Rotary 8, member, 2000-present Metropolitan Development Council, board member, 2005-present Pierce College Trustee 2002-Present Pacific Lutheran University School of Business, advisor, 2008-present World Trade Center of Tacoma, past director University of Washington-Tacoma advisory board , past member Washington State China relations Council, past member Economic Development Board Pierce County, past member

Education: Master's degree, Business Administration-Management, University of South Dakota, 1972 Bachelor's degree, Business Administration -Management, Pacific Lutheran University, 1971 Associate's degree, General, Tacoma Community College, 1969

What are your priorities for the port in the upcoming year?
-Improve Port's competitive position by finding cost effective solutions and improving utilization of existing terminal space for customers like NYK. -Reconnect with labor to avoid terminal slowdowns through dispute resolution policies with clear and consistent communication. -Ascertain redevelopment/implementation strategies for underutilized land. -Aggressively pursue new lines of business. -Promote transparency and accountability starting with a new budget process. -Hold the line on tax increases. -Advocate for infrastructure funding for critical road/rail projects.

The port’s executive director reports to the commission. On what criteria do you think the director should be evaluated?
Criteria must involve historical and future reference points and include: 1. Ability for strategic direction setting of the organization and establishment of priorities. 2. Working relationship with customers, labor, elected officials and community interests. 3. Triple bottom-line results measured against established benchmarks including financial, economic and environmental goals. 4. Leadership effectiveness traits for communication skills, integrity, decision making, open discussions, respecting employees, and fostering change and innovation. 5. Completing projects "on time and on budget".

What should the port do to attract and keep business?
Tacoma's image was historically based on the ability to meet organizational commitments to customers while labor was viewed as a partner. We need to get back to these basics if we truly want to maintain our competitive position in the marketplace. We must also move to aggressively seek new lines of business. I will be a strong advocate for Port policies that support small business and start up companies.

Personal Statement:
I will use my 30 years of management experience to sharpen the Port's competitive focus, aggressively pursue investments and jobs, while seeking new solutions for clean air and water. Greater accountability and transparency are needed at the Port while holding the line on tax increases. My experiences uniquely qualify me to work with customers, labor and our community to move in a new direction at the Port.

Cathy Pearsall-Stipek
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253-405-1086
E-mail: Cathyps@harbornet.com
Website: None
Occupation: Consultant/Trainer

Experience: Present: Tacoma South Rotary; City Club; Precinct Committee Chair for the Democratoc Party; Pierce County Democrats' United Methodist Church. Former: Pierce County Charter Review Commissioner 2007; Pierce County Auditor, 1993-2002; Pierce County Council Member, 5th District 1989-1993; Tacoma School Director, 1983-1989; State Representative, 29th Legislative District 1976-1979.

Education: Stadium High 1950; University of Washington 1950-1952. Auburn University 2005-2007 Certification as Election Vender.

What are your priorities for the port in the upcoming year?
First and foremost I would work to reestablish the crediability of the Port with the Maritime Community and the Citizens of Pierce County. In doing this we could begin to reestablish the Port as the economic engine that it once was and could diversify the work thus adding more jobs.

The port’s executive director reports to the commission. On what criteria do you think the director should be evaluated?
Number one is jobs. How many new jobs has he or she been able to bring to the Port? How many existing jobs has he or she been able to expand increase?

What should the port do to attract and keep business?
Rebuild their credibility and trust with the Maritime Community and other government agencies.

Personal Statement:
As a native of Pierce County who is asking for your vote I pledge to you the following: I have no ties with the Port, and have never worked for or on the Port. I feel I have some unique skills to bring to the commission, such as having managed a department with a $9 million plus budget, worked with both Public Financing and Public Bonding and most important I believe in open public meetings.